Madoff auction welcomes bids on wristwatches like: Rolex, Ulysse Nardin, Blancpain, Piaget, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, IWC and Jaeger LeCoultre.

(Bernard Lawrence "Bernie" Madoff)

Bernard Lawrence "Bernie" Madoff was born on April 29, 1938. He is the former Chairman of the NASDAQ stock exchange and the admitted operator of the Ponzi scheme that might be "the largest investment fraud in Wall Street history".
In March 2009, Madoff pleaded guilty to 11 felonies and admitted to turning his wealth management business into a massive Ponzi scheme that defrauded thousands of investors of billions of dollars. Madoff said he began the Ponzi scheme in the early 1990s. However, federal investigators believe the fraud began as early as the 1980s. The amount missing from client accounts, including fabricated gains, was almost $65 billion. The court appointed trustee estimated actual losses to investors of $18 billion. On June 29, 2009, he was sentenced to 150 years in prison, the maximum allowed.
Madoff founded the Wall Street firm Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC in 1960, and was its chairman until his arrest on December 11, 2008. The firm was one of the top market maker businesses on Wall Street, which bypassed "specialist" firms by directly executing orders over the counter from retail brokers.
On December 10, 2008, Madoff's sons told authorities that their father had just confessed to them that the asset management arm of his firm was a massive Ponzi scheme, and quoting him as saying it was "one big lie". The following day, FBI agents arrested Madoff and charged him with one count of securities fraud. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had previously conducted several investigations into Madoff's business practices since 1992, which critics contend were incompetently handled.

Madoff lots are 196-299 & 301-386.
U.S.Marshals Service
National Forfeited Jewelry Auction
Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 10 AM



During the auction conducted live on Saturday, November 14th at the New York Sheraton Hotel & Towers and online simulcast utilizing www.proxibid.com., many of Madoff’s belongings were auctioned. And so, his wristwatch collection. Between the wristwatch brands he was a fun, like Rolex, there were many Cartier, Ulysse Nardin, Blancpain, IWC, Hublot, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Piaget and Bulgari’s expensive watches.

Some of them, the most expensive Rolex and some from other wristwatch brands:



234
ROLEX: Gents 18kr vintage Rolex chronograph wristwatch; silver/white dial w/ black sticks & Arabics; 36.10mm round case; Black stitched crocodile strap (tang); Serial 66658 (1936); professionally restored.
$23000 - $26500


235
ROLEX: Gents 18ky vintage Rolex Oyster chronograph wristwatch; Monochrome motif; gold dial w/ luminous sticks & Arabics, 3 gold sub-dials; 35.1mm round case; Brown stitched Alligator strap (tang); 17 jewel Rolex Genève mechanical winding mvmt; Case 4048; Serial 58105 (1935). Note: Professionally restored.
$54000 - $58000


236
ROLEX: Gents st.steel & 18kr & 18ky vintage Rolex Oyster chronograph wristwatch; rose gold bezel, yellow gold crown; white dial w/ black sticks & Arabics; 34.6mm round case; Brown stitched Alligator strap (tang); 17 jewel Rolex Genève mechanical winding mvmt; Case 3668; Serial 146583 (1940). Note: Professionally restored.
$60000 - $63500


237
ROLEX: Gents 18ky vintage Rolex O.P. "Monoblocco" chronograph wristwatch; aka "Prisoner Watch"; domed plastic crystal; black dial w/ rose tri-sticks & Arabic numerals; gold hands; polished bezel; 35mm round case; dk brown alligator strap (tang); Model 3525; 17 jewel Rolex mechanical winding mvmt; Serial 380223 (1945).
$75000 - $87500


248A
WATCH: Gents st.steel Ulysse Nardin San Marco GMT wristwatch; black dial w/ luminous Arabic numerals; syn saph crystal; date at 3 position; dual-time at 11 position; 37mm round case; Black stitched leather band w/ tang buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model 203-22; Serial No 978.
$1500 - $2000


250
WATCH: Gents st.steel Blancpain Leman chronograph flyback wristwatch; white dial w/ white sub-dials (3); syn saph crystal; date at 6 position; 38.2mm round case; brown alligator strap w/ deployant buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model 2185-1127-53B; Serial No 294.
$4000 - $5200


251
WATCH: Gents 14kw Piaget Gouverneur Automatique chronograph wristwatch; light blue dial w/ matching sub-dials (3), Arabics; syn saph crystal; date at 6 position; 34.2mm round case; black alligator strap w/ 18kw Piaget tang buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model 12978; Serial 810797.
$4500 - $5800


253
WATCH: Gents 18kw Patek Philippe Annular Calendar wristwatch; black dial w/ silver Roman numerals; date at 6 position; 3 black sub-dials; syn saph crystal front & back; 36.95mm round case; black alligator band w/ 18kw deployant buckle; Model 5035G; 35 jewel Patek Philippe automatic mvmt, Cal. 315/198, Serial 3059777.
$12500 - $15600


254
WATCH: Gents 18ky Audemars Piguet Huitieme chronograph wristwatch; crème colored dial & sub-dials (3); date at 3 position; gold hands; 40.4mm round case; dkBrown alligator strap w/ 18ky AP double deployant clasp; Automatic mvmt; Serial C54966.
$6000 - $8000


258
WATCH: Gents st.steel IWC Portuguese chronograph wristwatch; silver dial w/ rose gold markers; 40.9mm round case; stitched brown alligator strap w/ tang buckle; Automatic mvmt; Model IW3714-01; Serial 2697455.
$3000 - $4000

264
WATCH: Gents 18kt rose gold Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duo wristwatch; Night/Day dials; brown crocodile strap w/ 18kr deployant buckle; Mechanical, winding mvmt; Case 270.2.54; Serial 1961500.
$4000 - $5100



Metropolitan Ballroom
New York Sheraton Hotel & Towers
811 Seventh Avenue
New York City, NY 10019

The auction was conducted by:
´Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers











[Source: CanadaEast]

Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin: The AMVOX2 DBS Transponder

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The AMVOX2 DBS Transponder is the most recent addition to the exclusive AMVOX range of timepieces created jointly by Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin – and the most vivid example yet of the powerful synergy between the two companies. A dramatic fusion of high-tech engineering skills and the finest watchmaking expertise, this revolutionary timepiece features an integrated transponder circuit that allows the owner to unlock or lock their Aston Martin DBS simply by pressing the sapphire crystal.



Like the AMVOX2 Chronograph DBS, this elegant new timepiece has no push buttons: the vertical trigger system of mechanical levers patented by Jaeger-LeCoultre allows the chronograph to be started, stopped and reset by pressing the sapphire crystal. Augmenting these functions in the AMVOX2 DBS Transponder is a miniaturised transmitter system that controls access to the owner’s DBS. As the driver nears the car, they simply press the ‘OPEN’
position on the watch glass (between 8 and 9 o’clock) and the door-opening system is activated.
Pressing the ‘CLOSE’ position (between 3 and 4 o’clock) locks the car again.
The unique connection between Jaeger-LeCoultre and Aston Martin is evident elsewhere on the watch, too. The exquisitely detailed dial features a suspended metallic grey DBS logo, there is a subtle Aston Martin emblem on the movement operating indicator, and the ruthenium grey bridges, satin finish and black background evoke the look of the DBS’s instrument panel. The outer dial ring, meanwhile, has an opening that allows a tantalising glimpse of the chronograph functions – just as the slender wheel rims of the DBS expose the mighty brake calipers behind.




Created specially for Aston Martin DBS owners, the AMVOX2 DBS Transponder is the first mechanical timepiece to operate not only as a chronograph but also as the key to a luxury sports car. An engineering masterpiece in miniature, its beauty and functionality stand as testament to the inspiration and expertise of the partnership that created it.













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Jaeger LeCoultre and Polo: the Reverso 78th Anniversary.

Polo is a team sport played on horseback; it was first played in Persia/Iran in 600 B.C. or much earlier. It was, at first, a training game for cavalry units, usually the king’s guard or other elite troops. It was often played with as many as 100 to a side, like a miniature battle.

It soon became an Iranian national sport played by the nobility and during the medieval times, it was the favourite sport of the Ayyubid and Mameluke dynasties of Egypt and the Levant. It later passed from Persia to other parts of Asia including the Indian subcontinent and China, were it became really popular during Tang Dynasty.

The game was played from Constantinople to Japan by the Middle Ages, it was known as the Game of the Kings. Its name, Polo, is said to have been derived from the Tibetan word “pulu”, meaning ball.

The modern game of polo, even though it was formalized and popularized by the British, it really derived from Manipur (India). It was then in 1834, where the first polo club was established in a little town in India called Silchar, in Assam.

According to Great Britain, the first polo club was established in 1862 by two soldiers who then spread the game to their peers in England. The British are credited with spreading polo worldwide in the late 19th century and the early 20th century.

Field polo requires two teams of 4 players. A full-size field is 300 yards long, and either 200 yards or 160 yards wide if there are side boards—these are generally 6" high. There are tall collapsable goalposts at each end of the field spread 8 yards apart. The object of the game is to score the most goals by hitting the ball through the goal. Ends are changed after a goal is scored. Polo found popularity in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Pakistan and the United States of America.




Jaeger LeCoultre has had a very closed relationship with equestrian polo sin 1931. Such closed relationship that the Reverso, by Jaeger LeCoultre, was designed speacially to withstand the rough and stumble, both characteristic of the sport.

In 2006 it was the Reverso 75th anniversary. In order to celebrate such event, the company sponsored numerous polo events like hosting the Maharaja Sir Pratap Singh Cup.

A Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso watch is distinguished among thousand of watches. Icon of the high watchmaking, Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso is distinguished by its elegant case that slides along its base to rotate on itself. Its sober and strong lines are based on the Art Déco style: clear and sober aesthetic, passion for the hand made "savoir-faire", for the precious materials and the good life style. The rotation of its case is an invitation to play with the time. Exaltation of the spirit , Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso shows its duality having a second face. Only a rotation is needed for the watch to become into a jewel that can be personalized with an eternal seal. It makes the people sights to follow the tic tac of its trains o shows a second esphera. In more than 70 years, not only has Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso become a legend, but also a jewel into the watchmaking. This big classic of the Art Déco is the inspiration of the best watchmakers and inventors who only wish to imagine new interpretation for this line.













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Perpetual motion reinvented. Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos 56

(Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos 56)

The world’s only clock movement that runs on thin air has reached its eightieth birthday. The Atmos 561 was created to celebrate this landmark occasion; it is completely balanced and simple according to its design.

Since its invention, the Atmos has embodied the passion of its creator, Jean Leon Reutter. Designer Marc Newson, who has always been fascinated by the Atmos clock, has designed its case as a Baccarat crystal bubble, which brings out its ethereal nature, lends it a futuristic elegance and catapults it into the ranks of today’s great designs. This exceptional clock is being made in a limited series of 888 pieces. The Atmos 561 illustrates the creativity of its designer.

Born in Australia, 44-year-old Marc Newson was the one who, long attracted to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s legendary clock, one day contacted the Grande Maison and offered a design for it. This suggestion was greeted with immediate enthusiasm: Jaeger- LeCoultre accepted his offer. In the Atmos 561 Newson managed to capture, in the staggering innovative power of his interpretation, the very essence of the Atmos clock, which for eighty years has symbolised the dream of quasi perpetual motion.


TECHNICAL DATA:

Movement:
mechanical,
almost perpetual,
Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 561,
crafted and assembled by hand
284 parts
annular balance,
60-second oscillation period

Functions:
hour,
minute,
month,
moon phase

Dial:
metal moon with circular-polished finish
white and black metal moon disc

Hands:
Blued aluminium

Cabinet:
bubble shaped, made by the Baccarat crystal makers

Dimensions:
276 mm x 250 mm x 163 mm
Limited series of 888

Reference: 516 51 01













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The Most Searched Watches - TOP Brands

According to the World Watch Report an annual market study prepared by IC-Agency that focuses on the top 5 luxury watch companies, the twelve most luxury brands are (in alphabetical order): Breitling, Bulgari, Cartier, Chopard, Ebel, Girard-Perregaux, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe, Rolex and Tag Heuer.

In relation to this market study, the two most searched models are the Omega’s Seamaster and the Rolex’s Datejust.

(Omega Seamaster)

The Omega Seamaster wristwatch is water proof to 120 meters, it is used for all types of sports activities. The Seamaster line combines advanced technology with exclusive precious materials like: tantalum, titanium or pink gold - available with mechanical or quartz movements.

(Rolex Datejust)

Rolex’s Datejust, on the other hand, was introduced in 1942 with two additions: a sweep seconds hand and a date disc visible though and aperture in the dial at 3. The first Datejust was a seminal one, a model and a design that would last for the next 50 years. This model is still the most beautiful of the Datejusts.


As for eBay, between the most searched watches, we can find the Mint Vacheron Constantin, the Moser IWC Chronograph Repeater Antique, the Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox Alarm, The Vintage Rolex Double Red Sea Dweller, the Vintage TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph or the Omega Big Blue Diver.

(Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox Alarm)

(Vintage Rolex Double Red Sea Dweller)

Even though search volume for counterfeits products is a constant, for the first time I the last five years, since 2008 it started decreasing. "Demand for counterfeit products evolves as markets mature on the Internet. As Internet penetration rises, so does the share of searches relating to pre-purchasing activities for authentic roducts," explains Flavio Quaranta, Associate Partner at IC-Agency.












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The Smallest Mechanical Wristwatch Movement

The smallest mechanical wristwatch movement ever made was the Jaeger - LeCoultre '101' wristwatch introduced in 1929.



Featuring 98 parts, measuring 14mm x 4.8mm x 3.4mm, and weighting only 0.9 grammes (including the dial and hands), It remained available until 1950s approximately.

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Control

The Jaeger Le-coultre watch Master Control line offers rounded, simples and perfects watches, through their elegance and pure lines. The soberness of its shape highlight the functions.

This is a render to the high watchmaking. The expression of the tradition that is shown to the revolutionary sight of Jaeger-LeCoultre. The quality, uniqueness and reliability of its movements of manufacture have created legends. The legibility of its functions of the generation of watches M Master Control watches reaches a level of absolute clarity. Due to the esthetical and balanced details, their spheres are highlighted by asymmetric details that progressively become to the special characteristics of the most recently performances of Master Control.

Modern and elegant, are known by a non conventional and sober design that gives the first role to the useful functions. The Master Control line has a golden rule: the most complicated are their calibres, more simple, comfortable and ludic must be their utilization. Their appearance is a render to the performances in 1950, their reliability must reply to superior demands.

Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso

A Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso watch is distinguished among thousand of watches. Icon of the high watchmaking, Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso is distinguished by its elegant case that slides along its base to rotate on itself. Its sober and strong lines are based on the Art Déco style: clear and sober aesthetic, passion for the hand made "savoir-faire", for the precious materials and the good life style. The rotation of its case is an invitation to play with the time. Exaltation of the spirit , Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso shows its duality having a second face. Only a rotation is needed for the watch to become into a jewel that can be personalized with an eternal seal. It makes the people sights to follow the tic tac of its trains o shows a second esphera. In more than 70 years, not only has Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso become a legend, but also a jewel into the watchmaking. This big classic of the Art Déco is the inspiration of the best watchmakers and inventors who only wish to imagine new interpretation for this line.

The history of Jaeger Lecoultre

The manufacture Jaeger-Lecoultre has always distinguished himself over the rest of the watchmakers. He has consistently conquered new eras. The business of founder Antonie LeCoultre has surpassed its expectations and reached untoughtful heights due to the rise of generation of inventors led by JaegerLeCoultre.The manufacture has developed steadily over time through the construction of new extentions.The result is an unique watchmaking complex which still keeps its character.However, the alliance with the Parisian company Jaeger spread the fame of the company abroad.Holorogical creations under the name of Jaeger-Lecourt reflect theidea of putting together tradition and innovation together with the symbolic scope of the passing time and its measurement.

Jaeger-LeCoultre stands and supports the idea that more important than any instruments, eye, hand and heart remain as their most important tools. The timekeepers created by the Manufacture keeps the tools.
Therefore, the Manufacture produces an exceptionally range of movements with 38 different calibres.Its horological repertoire goes from the world's smallest mechanical movement Calibre 101 to tourbillons, minute repeater mechanisms, calendars, moon-phase and power-reserve displays, chronographs, alarma and dual time-zone Jaeger Le-Coultre watches.
Not only Jaeger-Lecoultre masters the production of cases and bracelets but also movements consagrating himself as one of the Manufacture who produces the majorities of parts making up a complete Jaeger Le-Coultre watches watch. However, the brand would never be the same without those who work in it, 1000 people worldwide and 900 people in the workshops of the Vellee de Joux. Through the years, they have given birth to a wide range of creations of Jaeger Le-Coultre watches which contribute to the measurement of time.
Among them are hundreds of craftsmen who have been able to able to fit the area of engraving, enamelling, gem-setting as well as chasing skeleton movements of Jaeger Le-Coultre watches.
All follow the philosophy: "Sharing the passion for time with Jaeger-LeCoultre, the Manufacture in the avant-garde of watchmaking mastery."

A journey through the years

1833:

Antoine LeCoultre founds a superb watchmaking workshop in Le Sentier. Crafting, finishing and assembly of watch parís are handmade in specialised workshops.

1844:

Antoine LeCoultre invents his Millionometer. It is the first instrument which is capable of measuring a micron, a millionth of a metro, and establishes the metric system as the standarized watch measurement.

1847:

LeCoultre & Co produces the first movement with a crown winding system that set the time, which meant that keys are not necessary for winding watches.

1925:

The twin-level rectangular Duoplan movement is created. It is endowed with extraordinary precision and features an interchangeable movement concept.

1928:

The engineer Jean-Léon Reutter invents the uique creation: the Atmos. It needs no battery, no electric current and no winding.

1929:

Calibre 101 is the world's smallest mechanical movement (14 x 4.8 x 3.4 mm) with 98 parts weighing around one gram.

1931:

The Jaeger Le-Coultre reverso is invented. It has an unique case which swivels to tum its back on shocks and protect its glass. Jaeger Le-Coultre reverso has showed its ability to perpetuate the moderm charm of the Art Deco style.

1953:

The Futurematic is the first automatic watch with no winding-crown.

1956:

The Jaeer Le-coultre Memovox is the first automatic alarm wristwatch.The Jaeer Le-coultre Memovox shows the exhilaration of the 50s.

1989:

The Grand Réveil is not only equipped with a calendar and moon phases but also with an alarm-bell struck by a small hommer

1991:

As a celebration of the 60th aniversary of the swivel watch, Jaeger Le-Coultre fits the Jaeger Le-coultre Reve rso with a complication movement. Jaeger Le-coultre Reverso is first watch to write the first chapter in the dynasty of six Limited series in pink gold.

1992:

The Master Control 1000 Hours introduces new standards of reliability for automatic wristwatches. It underwent 1000 hours of stringent tests before being certified by a numbered gold seal on the case-back.

1997:

The Jaeger Le-coultre watch Reverso Duetto reflects elegance of time in any circumstance, showing the day on one side and the night on the other.

1998:

The Manufact ure goes beyond. He creates the Jaeger Le-coultre watch Reverso Gran'Sport. It combines the art of living the present with watchmaking technology

1999:

Jaeger-LeCoultre creates an original version of the Jaeger Le-coultre watch Atmos.The Atmos du Millénaire shows the years, the months, and moon phases over a 1000-year period.

2000:

The Master Grande Jaeger Le-coultre Memovox adds a calendar and alarm to the Master Control rango.

2001:

The Jaeger Le-coultre watch Reverso Platinumis is the first Reverso with an openworked movement which heralds the new dynasty of Limited series of 500.